Dues and Other Fees
You must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas in
order to practice law.
Part of the requirements for "good standing" is the
annual payment of your dues and fees as mandated by the Supreme Court
of Texas.*
In addition, there are other compliance requirements and mandatory
payments that we cover in this section.
How
to Pay Dues Online Video
Watch a video on how to pay dues online.
Dues
Schedule
Learn about the dues structure for lawyers licensed in Texas or
elsewhere.
Legal
Services Fee
Get deadlines and exemption details.
ATTORNEY OCCUPATION
TAX
The attorney occupation tax was repealed
by the 84th Legislature.
Firm
Billing
The State Bar of Texas Membership Department has provided an easy
tool for firms and other agencies to pay their attorneys' bar dues and
the legal services fee collectively at one time.
Student
Loan Compliance
What to do if you receive a notice from the Texas Guaranteed
Student Loan Corp about your loan.
Child
Support Compliance
A court order can authorize the State Bar of Texas to suspend your
law license for non-compliance. Read the details.
How
to Pay Dues and Fees
Important dates and payment process details.
Emeritus
Status Information
Information on emeritus status for attorneys 70 years of age or
older.
Military
Waiver for Dues
Find out if you qualify for a military exemption.
Hardship
Waiver for Membership Dues
Find out if you qualify for a hardship exemption.
Note: * As specified in Article III, State Bar Rules.
Expenditure Protest Policy
The purpose of the State Bar of Texas is to engage in those
activities enumerated at §81.012 of the State Bar Act. The expenditure
of funds by the State Bar of Texas is limited both as set forth at
§81.034 of the State Bar Act and in Keller v. State Bar of California,
496 U.S. 1 (1990). If any member feels that any actual or proposed
expenditure is not within such purposes of, or limitations on, the State
Bar, then such member may object thereto and seek a refund of a pro
rata portion of his or her dues expended, plus interest, by filing a
written objection with the executive director. The objection must be
made in writing, addressed to the executive director of the State Bar,
P.O. Box 12487, Austin, TX 78711, and postmarked no later than 90 days
after the conclusion of the challenged activity.
Upon receipt of a member’s objection, the executive director
shall promptly review such objection together with the allocation of
dues monies spent on the challenged activity and, in consultation with
the president, shall have the discretion to resolve the objection,
including refunding a pro rata portion of the member’s dues, plus
interest. Refund of a pro rata share of the member’s dues shall be
for the convenience of the State Bar and shall not be construed as an
admission that the challenged activity was or would not have been
within the purposes of, or limitations on, the State Bar.